GT&T’s third 10/10 Softball Cricket Tournament is expected to be significantly larger than the previous two years, with the addition of an international component and a plan to double the number of teams that participated previously.
GT&T CEO Yog Mahadeo yesterday made this disclosure at the launching ceremony at the company’s Blackberry business office, Brickdam.
It was learnt that teams from Canada and the USA will play a national side on the final day of the tournament, which has been proposed for May 12.
Apart from that, after the meteoric increase from 584 teams in the inaugural year (2010) to 1,224 last year, GT&T’s organising team has thrown out a challenge to the Guyana Softball League (GSL), technical organisers of the competition, to attract more teams than last year.
Mahadeo pointed out that for every team over last year’s number, the prize money will increase, stating that last year’s prize structure will form this year’s base.
The tournament’s male defending champions Wolf Warriors pocketed $2M while on the distaff side Berbice All Stars took home $1M.
This year’s tournament officially bowls off on February 18 with registration which commenced yesterday scheduled to end on February 11. Registration forms can be obtained from this year’s official competition magazine which can be uplifted at all of GT&T’s business offices.
On the other hand, Mahadeo stated that the tournament, which will be played under the theme ‘It’s Our Game’, was not designed to be a profit-making venture but rather to foster community development and unite the country through the sport that means a lot to Guyanese. Judging from the response over the last two years, according to Mahadeo, this objective has been achieved, and the company is proud of the accomplishment.
He said that the supporters of the initiative, public, corporate and governmental, should be thanked for celebrating the vision of the company and the role the tournament plays.
He maintained that the best is yet to come for the tournament and a glimpse of this will be showcased over the next few months.
Tacoma jeep
Commenting further on the evolution of the competition, Mahadeo revealed that the fans will have an opportunity to win various prizes, the biggest incentive being a Tacoma SUV jeep.
Fans will be required to text FANS SUV to 620-3788 to win that vehicle. The first winner of the GT&T competition was Tarron Arjune who composed the winning entry for the official jingle of the competition. He was awarded with his cheque yesterday.
Meanwhile, Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Carlton Joao said that the company is pleased to be associated with the 10/10 competition, labelling it one that is evolving and significant in the sporting calendar. He noted that the team of GT&T has to be commended for their insight.
He said that three brands – Coca Cola, Powerade and Vita Malt – will have promotions for the fans and urged all to come out.
Donielle Barnes, Guyana Lottery Marketing Officer, Sophia Dolphin, Gizmos and Gadgets representative and owner of King’s Jewellery World Looknauth Persaud, along with president of the GSL, Halim Khan also expressed delight at being associated with the tournament.
